Curriculum & Assessments

The RISE Standards-Based Curriculum is aligned with State and National Standards and represents a rigorous approach to teaching content, concepts and skills for today’s learners. Each classroom is equipped with state-of-the-art technology using interactive white boards, document cameras, and other hand held devices. Students explore learning independently and interact with their environment as young scientists. Our advanced curriculum challenges students to think critically in everything they do.

The Florida State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers work to prepare students for college and careers.

Reading/Language Arts

RISE Academy’s Reading Program is supported by a comprehensive and research-based reading program which offers a wealth of high quality literature to engage learners.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Journeys Reading Program allows for explicit instruction with ample practice to ensure students’ growth in reading proficiency. Each week’s lesson integrates grammar, writing, and spelling for a total language arts approach. Our reading program incorporates the newly revised reading and language arts strands and standards. A comprehensive literacy model means that an appropriately balanced amount of time is provided for each component of reading, to develop well rounded readers. RISE’s curriculum is rich in literature with instruction that is explicit, systematic, scaffolded, differentiated, and supported in a print-rich environment. The ELA curriculum is also supported by a comprehensive vocabulary program using Vocabulary/Spelling City for all grade levels.

Special Features of the ELA Program:

Technology integration

Leveled Readers

Project-Based learning

Reading – Writing Connections

Complex text

Middle School students who are candidates for reading classes use NGL-Inside level A, B or C. Students learn to improve reading skills through close reading activities, vocabulary development and reading-writing connections. Middle School students also use a comprehensive Language Arts Program using Pearson Literature/Language Arts – and other Florida State aligned curriculum materials.

Mathematics

When students can connect mathematics to their everyday lives, the material is grasped quicker and essential skills are sharpened when mathematics is integrated across the curriculum. RISE Academy mathematics program is supported by researched based Mathematics (http://www.hmhschool.com/school/index.html) and GO Math comprehensive program which is scientific research base Houghton Mifflin Harcourt product. Five major research strands underpin the program: Writing to Learn, Vocabulary, Scaffolding, Metacognition, and Graphic Organizers. These strands identify the key components of mathematics instruction identified by recent research.

The GO MATH! FLORIDA student editions are designed to provide students with numerous opportunities to write about and reflect on the processes they used to solve problems and make sense of new mathematical concepts. Students are asked to describe the steps they went through in order to arrive at solutions to problems. Doing so helps students identify and become more aware of their own processes, which will help them transfer those processes to more complex problems they will encounter later on.

Middle School Mathematics program uses researched based Glencoe Mathematics including web-based curriculum that provides interactive learning. Students move through the curriculum as a group or individually depending on their level. Advanced students move through the curriculum independently and receive more advanced activities and projects that stimulate and challenge the students.

In order to help students think about the types of information with which they are provided to solve different kinds of math problems, students are asked to consider how they used certain pieces of information to help them arrive at solutions.

Science Program – What Sets us Apart!

RISE Academy School of Science & Technology mission is to build American Scientist for the 21st century. Our primary science program is Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ScienceFusion. ScienceFusion (http://www.hmhschool.com) provides the ultimate inquiry experience for students with every click, page turn, virtual lab, or hands-on activity. All day long, students have the opportunity to learn through inquiry. RISE also uses Harcourt Science (http://www.harcourt.com) curriculum materials in addition to a host of resources through Delta Education (http://www.delta-education.com/index.html). RISE science program is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The materials are rich with activities that help students understand concepts and develop skills that are essential building blocks in thinking critically. The curriculum integrates math, reading, and writing skills to enrich the curriculum while meeting or exceeding state and national standards. All students get involved in research projects, laboratory experiences and virtual and actual dissections.

The primary science program is supported by Science4Us.com which is an online, interactive standards-based curriculum that supplements the core science curriculum.

Special Feature:

State-of-the-art science lab

Lab coats for students

Hands on science activities daily

Dissecting, experiments and investigations

Science Fair

Science related fieldtrips

Connecting science to the real world

Science literacy rich environment with leveled readers

Technology integration

Science Club/Robotics

Science Olympiad Competition

Foreign Language

Spanish is taught as a part of the RISE curriculum. Sonrisas Spanish (http://sonrisasspanishschool.com) is a complete Spanish curriculum for elementary school children. The middle grade students use Pearson-Prentice Hall Paso O Paso. Lessons include audio/visual lessons, art projects and home learning activities. By appealing to each student’s strengths through song, dance, reading, and art projects, Sonrisas Spanish lessons helps create an environment in which students have fun as they begin to learn Spanish. Additional curriculum materials for intermediate and middle grades will be used.

Special Features:

Visual integration

Audio tapes

Art projects

Songs to reinforce foreign language development

RISE Academy ART SMART

Art Smart Curriculum invites color, textures, shapes and sizes into the overall curriculum. Art lessons are taught to compliment all other content areas. Students will be engaged in activities, learning skills such as, paint strokes to concepts in art history. Art is used to enhance the RISE curriculum and allows students to be creative in various ways. Students will create products monthly that are thematic in nature and allow students to use various art mediums and supplies.

Physical Education

Physical activity and physical health play an important role at RISE Academy School of Science & Technology. Students have a structure physical education period that encourages healthy movement, exercise, nutrition and team play. RISE students participate in activities such as Jump Rope for Healthy Hearts, Presidents Fitness program and other events that promote healthy choices and healthy living.

Our PE program also includes RISE Academy Anti-Bullying Program which focuses on the following:

Anti-bullying program

Intramural sports

Character and self-esteem building program

Self-confidence and self-discipline program through the use martial arts techniques.

Performing Arts Program

RISE Academy Performing Arts Program invites students to learn about the stage and performing. Students will enhance their reading skills through Reader’s Theater, script reading and writing. Students will also learn about set designs, acting and more…

The Performing Arts classes offer exposure to the disciplines of drama, dance, and production. The emphasis is on exposing the student to the arts so that the artist can emerge! Our program is an engaging standard-based instructional program that attempts to integrate the arts across all curricular areas. Students put on various performances throughout the school year.

Assessment Program

RISE Academy participates in the Florida State Assessment Program for grades 3 – 8 to include reading, mathematics, science and comprehensive writing. RISE Academy primary students participate in various diagnostic assessments as well as progress monitoring assessments such as Diagnostic Assessment for Reading (DAR), Running Records, Work Sampling System and other assessments to monitor student growth.

Gifted/Advanced Studies Program

Eligibility Criteria

A student is eligible for special instructional programs for the gifted from Kindergarten through grade 8th, if the student meets the following criteria:

The student demonstrates a need for a special program

A majority of characteristics according to a standard scale or checklist

Superior intellectual development as measured by an intelligence quotient of two (2) standard deviations or more above the mean on an individually administered standardized test of intelligence or ability (Cognitive Ability Test, Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test – KBIT 2 or other assessment).

Identification – As a part of the child’s educational program, an Educational Plan (EP) will be developed. Once student is assessed the team meets to develop the EP for the child.

Program Development – RISE Academy focuses on modifying curriculum and describes different program options to meet the needs of students. A specially designed instruction, appropriate related services, and programs for students who are gifted shall provide significant adaptations in one or more of the following: curriculum, methodology, materials, equipment, or environment designed to meet the individual and unique needs and goals of each student identified in the advanced program.

The following procedures will be used to place students in the RISE Accelerated Academic Program: